Matt Western, Labour MP for Warwick and Leamington, has responded to the refusal of the proposed plans to develop a 213-acre solar farm in south-east Leamington. 

In a meeting held on Tuesday evening (20 May), councillors on Warwick District Council's Planning Committee refused the development, citing landscape harm and the loss of good quality agricultural land, amongst other issues.

In a post shared on Facebook, MP Western said he "welcomed" the Council's decision and "know that many residents in Radford Semele will too". 

The proposals elicited a huge backlash from locals, with more than 300 objections, including a petition signed by more than 1,200 people.

Western wrote: "I would like to give kudos to local residents and campaigners such as Kate Pittel and the Parish Councillors who have fought against this for well over a year. 

"It was clear from the evidence presented to the council that the developers had not considered the detrimental impact the solar farm would have had on local residents' amenity.

"Nor had they taken proper account of the negative direct and cumulative impact that the solar farm would have on the surrounding natural environment or the character of the rural landscape."

Councillors on the committee concluded that these factors outweighed the positive elements of the application. 

"This is a welcome step to ensure that renewable energy infrastructure is delivered without inflicting harm upon valuable community assets" wrote Western.

He also remarked that the decision is not an objection to the use of renewable energy, but rather a refusal based on an "inadequate planning application that would harm valuable local amenities."

"Would you want your nearest park or greenspace to be spoilt by a major infrastructure project? I would think not."

MP Western further called for meaningful and immediate action regarding the obtaining of energy security and the end of the country's reliance upon fossil fuels. 

He wrote: "Renewable energy is something I care deeply about."

In 2010, MP Western retrofitted his own home with low-carbon energy sources, explaining it now uses 10 cubic meters of gas a year and benefits from solar panels and solar thermal units throughout the year.

Western further expressed that many more homes and commercial units could benefit from such retrofitting. 

As such, he has since written to the Secretary of State to ask what the Government can do to increase the rollout of solar panels on domestic properties and commercial units, as a viable alternative to losing valuable local amenities to "poorly planned solar farm developments"

In his letter, MP Western highlighted the three "huge" existing solar farms within three miles, with the proposed farm being much closer and therefore leading to a substantial loss of recreational amenity. 

MP Matt Western's letter to the Secretary of State disclosing solar panel conerns and requests (images via Matt Western Facebook)

He further addressed concerns that developers are showing a lack of respect for communities' amenity or landscape. 

Going forward, Western remarked he welcomes the Government's ambition to deliver clean power by 2030, however, he requested "a strategy that ensures a mix of energy and spread of delivery to ensure resilience."

"There are currently NO onshore wind farms in Warwickshire. I want to see some!" wrote Western. 

His final statement requested the Government to introduce further legislation insisting on solar panels on "ALL" new commercial and domestic properties. 

Further information on the refusal of the proposed solar panels can be found here.